Smyrna times., 1887-12-28
SUNDAY.

oIr7 Hdu p4th tucked away in their
beds.
SUNDAY.
The sacredness Of Sunday. tbough if
was Christmas day. was not trepche5
on in the least by any Improper con.
duct that we have heard Of In ali
respects it was like any other Sabbath.
The attendance at the churches was
good, and the services Of more than us
ual interest. The Methodist church
was more deliberately decorated with
evergreen perhaps than ever before
Inc chancel contained four plants of
Aloe-Americana on stands dressed
about the base with cedar; dresslu
OF croWsfoot and holly lined the ton of
chancel rail and the gallery front was
iestOOned with the same. The nulDit
recess had in green letters "GlOrv TO
God III the highest" and the remainder
of the sentence Peace on Earth
Good will to Men" was divided be-
tween the wall on either side. Above
the archway were boughs Of holly
while from 1t hung heavy cords of ever
green Topped gracefully to either side.
Rev. VIM, ), Robinson the uastor
took for his text Luka's record of the
Messiah, his theme being the birth and
mission of Christ. Starting out with
the idea that birth was the essential
and potent fact of existence
the occasion of joy greater or smaller
IN extent according 10 the sphere in
which it came, with great possibilities
always wrapped upin its existence-he
set forth Christ as the one birth that
overleaped family, tribe, kingdom.
empire, JOY that filled the earth"
Inc sermon throughout was charac-
terized by an unusual breadth of
thought, and as he pictured the mis-
sion OF Christ in the elevation of man
kind to the condition of life which he
typlt1ed, the sermon glowed in fervor
and beauty of thought as the great
Cneme opened before the vived cOncep-
ZION OF the speaker, and enveloped the
congregation with earnest feeling.
The evening sermon was on Christ
mas and the evident effect Of its obser-
vance on mankind-a discourse that
could not but awaken thought. The
choir both morning and night sang
new and choice anthems, the music of
the evening especially in its reinforce.
ment of two male voices being particu-
larly full and rich.
Christmas at the Episcopal church
was an occasion of interest to the con-
gregatlOn, as it always is. The trim
mlngs were somewhat elaborate and
very handsome. Wreaths of evergreen
entwined the chancel, graced the null
pit and lecturn, festooned the wall in
the rear and was apparent wherever
taste dictated. The baptismal font
ana chandeliers were also decorated
and each widow ledge contained a
plentiful supply of holly. There was
an absence of the usual text and mot
toes in evergreen letters. Music pre-
pared for the occasion formed large
part of the exercises followed by a
well prepared sermon by the Rector,
Rev. b. G. Mock from the text, "Glorv
to God in the Highest" &C., which was
listened to with marked attention.
The Presbyterian church made no
exception of Sunday from the ordinary
service, except by some well prepared
music by the choir. the sermon being
by the Rev. l.. C. Brown, of Durlach.
Pa, who will also preach again next
Sunday.
MONDAY.
Monday was the real Christmas dav
and day of genuine rational eniov-
ment to the mass of the people. The
boys who had maintained the resDect
FOR the Sabbath, we do not know how
patiently, but they did il all the same
until after the clock had struck twelve
and ushered in Monday, to the number
OF dozen or more intent on a racket
which they kept up with horns, bells
aud guns for two or three hours. Thew
annoyed some of the sleepers, but did !
nothing worse than hang an uDtown
merchants wheelbarrOw on the lamp- |
post.
In the afternoon the Citizens Hosa |
Company turned out for a run tbrougb |
IoWn, when was an unexpected pre-.
iude TO serious service an hour later in
Ihe burning of the store of John V. |
opruance, which is noted in another |
place. The fire served the purpose of |
excitement which is craved by SO MANY |
people on holidays, especially the |
young. '"'
During the evening the usual Christ
mas anniversary of st, Peters SUNDAY
sSchool was held, thronging the chanel |
by an interested audience. SINGING
ana an address by Rector Mock formed
important features of the services. bnt
Jhe chief feature to the children of the
school was the appearance of Old Kriss
and his reindeer, persOnated hv will
wright who dispensed presents To ali
~ the school-tOys, candy, books. &c
4 ne occasion was one enjoyed by both
'ne memoes of the school and visitors.